Ajj Aakhan Waris Shah Nuu

Ajj Aakhan Waris Shah Nuu,

Kiton Qabraan Wichon Bol,

Tey Ajj Kitaab-e-Ishq Daa,

Koi Agla Warka Phol

Today, I call Waris Shah,

“Speak from inside your grave”

And turn, today,

the book of love’s next affectionate page

-

Ikk Royi Sii Dhi Punjab Di,

Tu Likh Likh Maarey Wain,

Ajj Lakhaan Dhiyan Rondiyan,

Tenu Waris Shah Nuu Kain

Once, one daughter of Punjab cried;

you wrote a wailing saga

Today, a million daughters,

cry to you, Waris Shah

-

Uthh Dard-Mandaan Diya Dardiya,

Utth Tak Apna Punjab

Ajj Bailey Lashaan Bichiyaan

Tey Lahoo Di Bhari Chenab

Rise! O’ narrator of the grieving;

rise! look at your Punjab

Today, fields are lined with corpses,

and blood fills the Chenab

-

Kisey Ne Panjaan Paaniyan Wich

Diti Zahar Rala,

Tey Unhan Paniyaan Dharat Nuu

Dita Paani Laa

Someone has mixed poison

in the five rivers’ flow

Their deadly water is, now,

irrigating our lands galore

-

Iss Zarkhaiz Zameen Dey

Loon Loon Phuttiya Zahar

Gitth Gitth Charhiyaan Laaliyan

Fuut Fuut Charrhiya Kaher

This fertile land is sprouting,

venom from every pore

The sky is turning red

from endless cries of gore

-

Wey Waleesi Wha Phair,

Wan Wan Wagi Jaa,

Ohney Har Ikk Waans Di

Wanjli Diti Naag Bana

The toxic forest wind,

screams from inside its wake

Turning each flute’s bamboo-shoot,

into a deadly snake

-

Pehla Dang Madaariyan,

Mantar Gaye Guwaach,

Doojey Dang Di Lag Gayi,

Janey Khaney Nuu Lag

With the first snake-bite;

charmers lost their spell

The second bite turned all and sundry,

into snakes, as well

-

Laagaan Keeley Lok Moonh,

Bas Phir Dang Hi Dang,

Palo Palee Punjab Dey,

Neeley Pay Gaye Ang

Drinking from this deadly stream,

filling the land with bane

Slowly, Punjab’s limbs have turned black

and blue, with pain

-

Galeyon Tutey Geet Phir,

Takaleyon Tuti Tand,

Trinjanon Tutiyaan Saheliyan,

Charakhrrey Ghuukar Band

The street-songs have been silenced;

cotton threads are snapped

Girls have left their playgroups;

the spinning wheels are cracked

-

Saney Saij Dey Beriyan,

Luddan Ditiyaan Rohrr,

Saney Daliyan Peengh Ajj,

Piplaan Diti Torr

Our wedding beds are boats,

their logs have cast away

Our hanging swing,

the Pipal tree has broken in disarray

-

Jithey Wajdi Si Phook Pyar Di,

Wey Oh Wanjhli Gayi Guwaach

Raanjhey Dey Sab Weer Ajj,

Bhul Gaye Ohdi Jaach

Lost is the flute, which once,

blew sounds of the heart

Ranjha’s brothers, today,

no longer know this art

-

Dharti Tey Lahoo Warsiya,

Qabraan Paiyan Chon,

Preet Diyan Shahzadiyan,

Ajj Wich Mazaaraan Ron

Blood rained on our shrines;

drenching them to the core

Damsels of amour, today,

sit crying at their door

-

Ajj Sabhey ‘Qaido’ Ban Gaye,

Husn Ishq Dey Chor

Ajj Kithon Liyaiye Labh Ke

Waris Shah Ikk Hor

Today everyone is, ‘Qaido’

thieves of beauty and ardor

Where can we find, today,

another Warish Shah, once more

-

Ajj Aakhan Waris Shah Nuu,

Kiton Qabraan WichoN Bol,

Tey Ajj Kitaab-e-Ishq Da,

Koi Agla Warka Phol

Today, I call Waris Shah,

“Speak from inside your grave”

And turn, today,

the book of love’s next affectionate page

-

by: Amrita Pritam